CarVerify

Free Car Check

M3 UPU

1996 BMW M3

Black Petrol 3201cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Jun 2027
Tests17 (9 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate52.9%

Mileage

113,303 mi
Last recorded113,303 miles
Recorded on1 Jul 2026
Typical for 1996 BMW M3100,666 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationM3 UPU
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year1996
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,201cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

9 pass 8 fail
Pass 1 Jul 2026 113,303 miles

sills have slight corrosion can not fully inspect due to side skirts

Pass 21 Jun 2025 111,822 miles

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

underside covered in underseal

underside has slight corrosion not excessive

Pass 4 Mar 2013 111,688 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Oil leak

offside chassis leg split but not within 30cm of struture point

Fail 25 Feb 2013 111,688 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Oil leak

offside chassis leg split but not within 30cm of struture point

Pass 1 Feb 2012 110,845 miles
Fail 26 Nov 2011 110,667 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Damage to OS under body channel

NS body trim insecure

OSR jacking point pad missing

Pass 5 Nov 2010 109,458 miles

Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

os headlight slightly condensated

osf tyre slightly perrished on wall

Fail 29 Oct 2010 109,425 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Rear Trailing arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

os headlight slightly condensated

osf tyre slightly perrished on wall

Pass 31 Dec 2009 108,008 miles

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

center brake light not working

slight damage to osf chassis not within 12 inches

Fail 30 Dec 2009 108,008 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

center brake light not working

slight damage to osf chassis not within 12 inches

Pass 23 Dec 2008 106,164 miles

Nearside Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

damage on chassis on offside

nearside rear tyre worn on inner edge to zero mm

nearside wiper blade split

offside rear tyre worn on inner edge to zero mm

oil leak from rear axle

oil leak on engine

oil leak on power steering pipes

power steering pipes corroded

Fail 23 Dec 2008 106,164 miles

Nearside Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

damage on chassis on offside

nearside rear tyre worn on inner edge to zero mm

nearside wiper blade split

offside rear tyre worn on inner edge to zero mm

oil leak from rear axle

oil leak on engine

oil leak on power steering pipes

power steering pipes corroded

Fail 1 Dec 2008 106,158 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt affected by an insecure seat fixing (5.2.1b)

Nearside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

Offside Front coil spring cracked (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Rear Seat belt affected by an insecure seat fixing (5.2.1b)

Offside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

nearside rear tyre worn to 0mm on inner adge

offside rear tyre worn to omm on inner edge

power steering pipes leaking

rear diff has oil leak

Pass 16 May 2007 102,023 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 11 May 2007 102,023 miles

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 28 Jun 2006 98,076 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Lower Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Vehicle structure has slight damage (6.1.A.1)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 23 Jun 2006 98,076 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Front coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Lower Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Vehicle structure has slight damage (6.1.A.1)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

How Reliable is the BMW M3?

Based on 440,678 MOT tests across 34,038 vehicles.

80.8%
Pass Rate
3,682
Miles/Year
32
Year Lifespan
34,038
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 14,421
Brake pipe excessively corroded 7,386
coil spring incomplete 5,157
coil spring fractured 4,494
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 3,944
Full BMW M3 reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

M3 UPU is a 1996 BMW M3 in Black with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 17 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 52.9%.

Across all 1996 BMW M3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.5% with a typical mileage of 100,666 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a BMW M3 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 14,421 recorded failures. If you're considering buying M3 UPU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW M3 typically stays on UK roads for around 32 years. At 30 years old, this BMW M3 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of M3 UPU?

You can check the full history of M3 UPU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M3 UPU registered?

M3 UPU is a 1996 BMW M3, first registered on 30 December 1996.

Is M3 UPU safe to buy?

The MOT history for M3 UPU shows 17 tests with a 52.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M3 UPU have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on M3 UPU. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.